When it comes to selling a car, I have to take my hat off to people like the owner of this 1977 Malibu. They talk about the overall condition of the car as being good but aren’t at all afraid of revealing the bad points as well. This Malibu does have a few minor issues, but it is a solid car that would make a pretty decent sort of daily driver. Located in Kansas City, Missouri, it is listed for sale here on eBay.
The owner refers to the Malibu as a garage find that is wearing its original paint. He does say that the car has covered a genuine 39,000 miles and that these are documented. The overall condition of the car is quite good. There are a few minor scratches and dings on the body, and it also looks like the passenger side front fender may have received a repaint at some point. There is a small amount of minor rust in the bottoms of both doors which probably should be addressed fairly quickly to prevent deterioration. The underside of the car looks clean, with only the dusting of surface corrosion that you might come to expect from a car of this age.
Under the hood are the 305ci V8 engine and automatic transmission. The photos reveal that there is some oil seeping from the engine somewhere, but it doesn’t appear to be leaking to the point where it will actually drop oil. After sitting for some time with little use, the car has received new shocks, and at some point, the tailpipe and alternator have both been replaced. The car is fitted with air conditioning, and this has recently been converted to 134A Freon. The owner says that the car runs and drives really well.
The interior of the Malibu is close to spotless. The car has been fitted with an aftermarket CD player, but the interior is otherwise original. The only real fault that I can identify is some scratches on the steering column near the ignition switch. Looks like someone wasn’t terribly accurate when trying to insert the keys. The carpet and the red cloth upholstery look really good, and they definitely seem to reinforce the low-mileage claim.
With 73,739 Malibu Classic Coupes rolling off the production line in 1977, you would think that these would be a relatively common sight in the market today. This is not the case, and as so often happens with relatively common vehicles, their high production numbers can actually work against them. It appears that time has whittled these numbers down quite significantly as they were often considered a “disposable item” and a great many have found their way to the junk-yard and the crusher. Really nice examples today can sell for figures of around $10,000, which is still quite cheap. The owner has set a BIN price of $7,900, which seems quite fair considering the vehicle’s condition.
How would the new owner know the paint is original?
There are obviously two colors on the car and in the life of a car stuff happens which require parts to be painted.
I would check it out completely before laying down any money.
How would you know the paint is original on any car that you are buying used? You are always going to come across people that are going to lie to you and try to cheat you. Don’t believe anything that you hear or read and only half of what you see. If you are happy with a vehicle purchase and ownership that is all that matters.
Looks to me to be a great starting point for some modern go-fast parts. Nice to get with doing mods and not having to deal with a rusty body.
This was my 76 Malibu Wagon. Ohhh it felt good to do this to this car.
So now what do you have to show for it?
A decent trophy, great memories, and used the engine in 2 other cars
When I was in high school back in 1987 there was a kid that had one of these. I still remember it when I see one of these. I thought it was the coolest car. It was a medium blue, dark blue half top with a dark blue interior. It had duals, “high lift” coils and some big BFG’s on the stock ralleys. That’s the one that stands out the most. I knew a lot of kids back then that had these malibus. I love these things. They drive nice, are comfortable and with a few tricks you can find a decent amount of power without breaking the bank. It won’t be a screamer but you will think you are doing something when you break the tires loose.
Definately of the better malaise era cars.Considering they like road salt in Missouri too, this has one has kept up shockingly well.It’s probably also one of the last cars to actually give the driver that American iron feeling ,before the US auto industry started to offer sensible (read:dull) cars.Gotta love that pristine red interior!
Looking closer, that fabric is very close to what was in my ’78 Pontiac Grand LeMans. Loved that car.
I just find these cars just look good. Add a few performance enhancements and surprised how many people come up to you reminiscing about these vehicles. See mine in this pic with brothers plane in background. I restored after high school. Had it for 25 years.
Nice to see a steel-roofed colonnade-body GM. I stand by my conviction that ’73-’77 coupes are destined to be 2nd generation shoe-boxes. Am particularly fond of ’75/’76 Laguna S-3’s as well as ’73 Buick Special/Century coupe’s. I think Buick did the best job of integrating the styling of GM’s colonnade body.
Almost never see one of these without a vinyl roof, usually in tatters. Also, the plastic trim around the opera windows typically yellowed after all these years. This is a standout, both in exterior color and the condition of that red interior! Doesn’t hurt that it has factory slotted wheels — always a nice upgrade in these years. I too prefer the Laguna S-3 but wouldn’t sneeze at buying this car if it was closer.
My first car! Same year AND miles when I got it. Mine had a quarter vinyl top along the back, gold paisley upholstery and was bright yellow.
I would bomb around an abandoned mobile home park outside of town in it trying to teach myself Dukes of Hazzard tricks.
Very nice example, but the early 305 s scare me.
Hey Bob C. I had a 76 Monte Carlo with 305 V 8 from 1982 til about 1990. Bought it used with 99,000 miles. Drove every day 50 miles to work. Never an engine issue. Changed oil every 3,000 with Mobil Delvec, changed coolant, gas filter regularly. Drove it another 110,000 miles. Trans took a dump. One of rhe best cars I ever owned.